Did you know that most couples check the girlfriend’s or wife’s fertility before even thinking that the boyfriend or husband may have a low fertility levels? This is ironic, because male fertility tests are much easier, less expensive, and less invasive than female fertility tests. It is so important for men to check their sperm count and health with a semen analysis – even before women test their fertility.

In the past, it was the woman’s “fault” that a couple couldn’t conceive a baby. Most people automatically soon it’s female female fertility problems that stop a couple from getting pregnant, perhaps to protect the fragile male ego (because the male psyche equates fertility with virility). Not fathering a child led to shame and embarrassment for the family.

Studies today, however, show that at least 30% of infertility is because of a medical or health problem with the man. So, the fact that you’ve done a sperm test and need to interpret the results of your semen analysis is a positive step forward in your journey to getting pregnant and starting a family!

The reason a sperm test and semen analysis is so important is because the vast majority of men have no way of knowing their fertility levels. Unless, of course, they accidentally father a child before they’re planning a pregnancy. Some fertility doctors say that when a couple is having trouble getting pregnant, the must always be tested first. Fertility health tests for women are far more complicated, invasive and expensive. It is much simpler to find out if the man has a problem with his semen – which the results of a semen analysis can quickly and accurately do.

A semen analysis is the most important fertility test for couples

A home sperm test for men is the best first step to finding out why you can’t get pregnant. Remember that you’re making new sperm every 3 months, which means you need to keep testing your count, motility, and health.

A store-bought “semen analysis” is an inexpensive way to test your sperm count, motility, and concentration.

However, the fact that a semen analysis is so inexpensive can be misleading. Many patients and (even doctors) assume that a home semen analysis must be an easy test to do because it’s cheap. This is why you can get an inexpensive semen analysis done at a neighborhood lab, or even buy a male fertility test through an online store like Amazon.

The SpermCheck home test for male fertility is an easy-to-use at-home test for determining the concentration of sperm in semen. You’ll know within minutes whether your sperm count is within the “normal” range. A positive result indicates that your sperm count is above 20 million sperm per milliliter of semen. A negative result indicates that the count is below the 20 million sperm per milliliter threshold, and further testing by your doctor may be warranted. Low sperm count is one of the main causes of fertility issues in couples experiencing difficulty in conceiving.

However, this simplicity can be misleading because it really does require a lot of skill to read and understand the results of a semen analysis accurately. A male fertility test that checks sperm at home is a good first step to determining why you can’t get pregnant, but it’s only the beginning. For a thorough understanding of your semen analysis results, it is crucial to go to a reliable laboratory that specializes in sperm testing – and see a fertility doctor. Semen testing and reporting is very subjective and depends upon the skill of the technician in the lab and the doctor in the medical clinic.

Home male fertility test kits can help men who are curious about their fertility levels. The best home sperm tests also measure the concentration of motile cells – not just the total number of sperm cells. Why? Because if you as a man are producing 100 million sperm and they are all dead or not swimming, then it’s useless to know you have a “normal sperm concentration.”

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That’s why a semen analysis is crucial to understanding your male fertility levels. You need to assess sperm that are moving, because those are the sperm that will fertilize an egg during normal conception.

What is a Sperm Made of?

“A normal sperm has three sections: a head, a midpiece, and a tail,” writes Sharon Perkins and Jackie Meyers-Thompson in Infertility For Dummies (a great resource for couples who want to get pregnant!). “All three parts need to be normal for a sperm to be considered normal, according to the strict Kruger morphology, a system for evaluating sperm…”

Since male infertility accounts for about 33% of not getting pregnant for couples, it’s important to get a semen analysis done if you can’t get pregnant. A man’s sperm count, motility, or production is very important to pregnancy. Here’s a description of the three parts of a sperm, plus information on what sperm test results mean…

Though sperm are teeny tiny, laboratory technicians can see their details under a microscope (which is what will happen during a semen analysis or sperm test).

The head of a sperm contains all the genetic material, so a sperm with an abnormal head can’t fertilize an egg.

The midpiece of a sperm contains fructose, which is the energy it needs to move rapidly.

The tail of a sperm is necessary for propulsion. Sperm with no tail, two tails, or coiled tails are abnormal, and won’t help with getting pregnant.

“Most laboratories can do a ‘screening’ semen analysis,” writes Sharon Perkins and Jackie Meyers-Thompson in Infertility For Dummies.

“However, the determination of morphology (proportion of ‘normal’ forms)…takes a high level of expertise, and is generally only available at a bona fide fertility program.”

What Does Your Semen Analysis Mean?

Okay, you’ve received the results of your sperm test…and you have no idea what sperm volume, concentration, motility, or morphology really means! Have no fear: the following parameters are from the World Health Organization (WHO) – a reliable source of medical information.

How to Understand the Results of Your Semen Analysis

Normal sperm volume (amount) is 1.5 to 5 ml, or about a teaspoon.

Normal sperm concentration should be greater than 20 million sperm/ml, or a total of greater than 40 million per ejaculate.

Normal sperm motility means that more than 40% of the sperm should be moving (swim forward, mates!).

Normal sperm morphology means that more than about 30% of sperm should be normally shaped, as determined by the lab technician. If the lab uses the more strict Kruger criteria, normal sperm morphology should be 14%.

Normal sperm forward progression is at least 2, on a scale of 1 to 4 (this part of the sperm test measures how many sperm are moving forward).

Sperm white blood cells should be no more than 0 to 5 per high-power field. More could indicate infection.

Sperm hyperviscosity means that the semen should gel promptly, but should liquefy within 30 minutes after the sample is taken.

Sperm Ph should be alkaline, to protect sperm from the acidic environment of the woman’s va-jay-jay.

Your sperm will vary

Fertility doctors recommend doing at least two sperm tests, about three months apart. Why? Because men are constantly producing sperm, so your semen analysis results can change from month to month. So if you’ve done a home fertility test for sperm (or are preparing to do a semen analysis through a clinic or laboratory), remember that semen samples can vary from month to month – or even day to day. On average, it takes 72 days for sperm to develop.

Other factors that affect a semen analysis or sperm test results include illness, prescription medication, other drugs (even over-the-counter cold medicine), and unusual happens in your body and life. It takes three months for sperm to “settle down” from atypical influences. So, if you experienced anything unusual in three months before the sperm test or semen analysis, then your results may not be indicative of normal sperm count, motility, or production.

And that, my friends, is why you need to talk to a fertility doctor or urologist. Simply knowing the results of your semen analysis isn’t enough.

How to Improve Your Sperm Count and Motility

Here are two supplements that might improve the results of your semen analysis:

The Sperm Count Boost for Men is a non-prescription dietary supplement designed to be taken with FertilAid for Men. Sperm CountBoost is not a standalone product; it must be taken along with FertilAid for Men (which I listed just below).

CountBoost is formulated for men who are trying to achieve a pregnancy – and who are specifically having problems with low sperm count. The World Health Organization defines “low sperm count” containing fewer than 20 million sperm per milliliter of semen ejaculate.

If your semen analysis results show a low or poor sperm count, you may consider adding CountBoost for Men to your daily regimen in order to more aggressively address the sperm count issue. One bottle contains 60 capsules (a 1 month supply).

For most men, FertilAid for Men is sufficient for conceiving a baby. It has a comprehensive formula that has been clinically demonstrated to increase the total number of sperm a man produces.

FertilAid for Men has been clinically proven in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study to increase the total number of motile sperm a man produces. It’s is the bestselling male fertility supplement in the US because it’s doctor-designed to help naturally optimize a man’s reproductive health and increase his chances of conceiving. This dietary supplement features a patented science-based formula, containing key amino acids, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.

I hope this helps you read and understand the results of your sperm test. I know it’s disappointing to get a semen analysis and not know what it means or what the future holds for your family! But don’t give up on your dream of getting pregnant.

Your comments are welcome below, but I can’t offer medical advice. If you need help reading or understanding the results of your semen analysis, I encourage you to book an appointment with your urologist, fertility doctor, or family physician.

dear doctor HI doctor Please reply for my semen test. i am 29 please i need to know exactly about this result information and what i have to do for the next medical treatment information. thanks . ahmed osman . from Melbourne.

If you haven’t seen a fertility doctor or urologist in person yet, I encourage you to book an appointment as soon as possible. It’s important to get information that is specific to your body, and to learn how to improve your sperm health based on your own genetics, lifestyle, and fertility levels.

May you start a family quickly and easily, and may your sperm health and may your fertility levels become strong and true.

If you recently had a semen analysis or sperm test done at home or in the laboratory, it’s super important to have a technician or doctor interpret the results for you. Reading and understanding the results of the semen analysis can be complicated and confusing, and there are several different factors that can affect your results.

Doing an at-home male fertility test for your sperm is a good first step towards figuring out how healthy your male fertility levels are, but you really need to see a urologist or fertility doctor in person before you can get an accurate diagnosis of why you aren’t getting pregnant.

I’m sorry I don’t have more answers for you, but I really encourage you to see a doctor in person so you can get advice specific to your own body and health.

The only way to get an accurate, professional reading of your semen analysis results is to take them to a doctor. The internet is a good source of general information about how to understand the results of your semen analysis, but it can’t tell you what is wrong with your sperm.

It’s possible that nothing is wrong with your sperm count, motility, or production! But only a doctor can tell you that…which is why you need to book an appointment with a urologist or fertility doctor today.

Thank you for being here, and sharing the results of your sperm test and semen analysis. It can be confusing to try to determine if you can father a baby based on the motility, count, viscosity, etc – and that’s why a urologist or fertility doctor is the person you need to talk to!

The only way to find out what your sperm test results mean is to talk to a urologist in person. Don’t rely on the internet for results or an explanation of your semen analysis. The information in this article about sperm test results are for basic guidelines only, and not for personal health advice.

Book an appointment with your urologist, and find out what the results of your semen analysis mean to you. Then, you’ll be able to get treatment – and maybe even get pregnant and have a baby!

The only way to find out with certainty what your sperm test results mean is to talk to a urologist in person. Don’t rely on the internet for conclusive results of your semen analysis. The information in this article about sperm test results are for basic guidelines only, and not for personal medical advice.

Book an appointment with your urologist, and find out what the results of your semen analysis mean to you. Then, you’ll be able to get treatment – and maybe even get pregnant and have a baby!

My husband did a semen analysis and the reslts are as followed volme 1.8 l sperm count is 99.8 motility immediately 60 1 hr 40 and 2 hr 30 what does this mean how low is the motility compared to normal and what can we do about this?

sir. my self an well educated peson after 2 years of my marrirge i coundcted my semen test and the ruslt are as fowllo. colour= gray opeque. viscosity=+. valume= 2 ml liquifation time 20 min. fructose= negative. ph = Alkaline sperm count= NIL. so sir is there any tritment to solve this problem and if it is then what is that and how can you help me

Thank you for being here – it takes alot of courage to share the results of your sperm test, and ask for help with a semen analysis! I wish I could offer you more information, but I can’t give medical or health advice.

I encourage you to see another urologist or fertility doctor for a second sperm test, to see if the two sets of results are consistent. Remember that men’s bodies are making fresh new sperm constantly. I think every 3 months, a new batch is made. So your sperm test today would give different results than a semen analysis in 3 months from now.

Talk to your doctor, get a second opinion. I also encourage you to talk with your wife about different options for having a baby. Visit a fertility clinic, and learn about treatments such as in vitro fertilization and intrauterine insemination. Stay open to all the possibilities!

I will keep you in my prayers, that your body develops healthy strong sperm, and that you and your partner are able to conceive a baby quickly.

Before 6 months i found thst my sperm count is 2.5 mil so i made a surgery for varicocele but after 3 month from the surgery the count was zero …. The analysis show that fsh and lh hormon have large number so i took a medicine to solve this problem of ampoles of ciditestone and choriomon . the result now increased 175000 for sperm concentration but zero motolity is there any hope to get my wife pregnant .. what should i do?

sir, my semen is thin. I have one daughter. now I want one son. how can I make my semen healthy. my semen is thin. in semen analysis report . 60% are active and 40 % are sluggish. give me suggestion that how can make healthy semen..

To get medicine to help improve your sperm, you need to talk to a urologist or fertility doctor. Ask for help figuring out what your sperm test results mean, and how a semen analysis can help you and your wife get pregnant. The internet is not a great place to get personal medical information – it’s good for general facts about sperm tests results and semen analysis, but not personal health advice.

Men contribute to 50% of infertility cases and most of the time sperm count can be significantly increased through a variety of lifestyle and medical interventions. Trak is a revolutionary new platform that allows you to monitor the affect of various activities you are doing to boost sperm count and give you the best chance of getting pregnant each month.

2. Abstain for 2-3 days: Once Trak arrives, abstain from ejaculating for 2-3 days. This allows the body time to replenish sperm stores and gives a more accurate baseline result.

3. Run test: Follow the simple instructions included with the kit to run the Trak test and record the result in the Trak booklet. Repeat the test after 2-3 days and record your result. Sperm counts vary day to day so it is important to test more than once per cycle to get an average.

4. Take steps to improve fertility: Keep a record of things that you are doing to improve sperm production. Supplements, exercise, etc. Please see Don’t Cook Your Balls for a full list of things you can do.

5. Try to make a baby: Have sex twice a week during non-fertile times and every other day during fertile window to maximize chances of conception. If possible, try to keep it fun and spontaneous as this can actually improve the number and quality of sperm in the ejaculate and boost odds of pregnancy. Regular sex also increases sperm production.

6. Trak fertility: Test at least once a month, preferably during her period so that testing doesn’t interfere with baby making. It often takes at least 2 months to see improvements in sperm count. The more sperm you have the better your chances of conception. Average sperm count is around 50 million/mL. Chances of conception increase with more sperm up to 100 million/mL. If you are consistently below 20 million and are unable to boost count on your own, please seek out a urologist who specializes in male fertility as you may have a medical condition that is impairing sperm production.

I don’t think this sperm test is available yet, though, and I don’t know how much it costs.

I’m sorry, but I can’t interpret your semen analysis – it’s important for you to see a urologist to get in-person help with your sperm test results. A doctor can help you figure out if your sperm is healthy enough to conceive, and if it isn’t, then a doctor can help you get healthier sperm.

Take your semen analysis to a urologist or fertility doctor, and ask him or her to help you read it.

Dear sir , i had married 5 years and i made a semen analysis as follows vol.submitted=3.0ml Colour -Grayish Consistency- Thick fluid Reaction = Alkaline Odour -Musty Liquafaction=Completed within 30minutes of ejaculation. Spermatozoae=A)Total amount-50millions/ml.b.motility-1Approx 20%Are sluggishly motile&Rest are dead within 30mintues of ejaculation.2.Approx 10%Are Very sluggishly motile & rest are dead within 30mintues of ejaculation. Morphology: 1.Head,neck and tail can be reconised of the mostomes. Some ones(4%) skow macrocephalic.absence of head, neck tail degenerated sperm seen HPF

pus cells 8-12/HPF Fat globuls=(++)

plz help me in explain my test result thank you all and i hope you good health

New research from Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health says that stress degrades sperm quality. Men who feel stressed have fewer sperm, slower sperm, and sluggish sperm — which may diminish fertility.

Psychological stress affects a man’s sperm concentration, appearance, and ability to fertilize an egg. The results of this research study are published online in the journal Fertility and Sterility. According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, infertility affects men and women equally, and semen quality is a key indicator of male fertility.

“Men who feel stressed are more likely to have lower concentrations of sperm in their ejaculate, and the sperm they have are more likely to be misshapen or have impaired motility,” says senior author Pam Factor-Litvak, PhD, associate professor of Epidemiology at the Mailman School of Public Health. “These deficits could be associated with fertility problems.”

The researchers studied 193 men, ages 38 to 49, enrolled in the Study of the Environment and Reproduction at the Kaiser Foundation Health Plan in Oakland, California, between 2005 and 2008. The men completed tests to measure work and life stress on subjective scale (how they felt overall) and objective scale (life events behind the stress). They also provided semen samples. Technicians at the University of California, Davis, used standard methods employed in fertility testing to assess the samples for semen concentration, and sperm appearance and motility.

Measured subjectively or objectively, life stress degraded semen quality, even after accounting for men’s concerns about their fertility, their history of reproductive health problems, or their other health issues. Workplace stress was not a factor, however the researchers say it may still affect reproductive health since men with job strain had diminished levels of testosterone. Being without a job did not improve matters. Unemployed men had sperm of lower quality than employed men, regardless of how stressed they were.

It is not fully understood how stress affects semen quality. It may trigger the release of steroid hormones called glucocorticoids, which in turn could blunt levels of testosterone and sperm production. Another possibility is oxidative stress, which has been shown to affect semen quality and fertility.

“Stress has long been identified as having an influence on health. Our research suggests that men’s reproductive health may also be affected by their social environment,” says Teresa Janevic, PhD, the study’s first author and an assistant professor at the Rutgers School of Public Health.

While several previous studies have examined the link between stress and semen quality, the current paper is the first to look at subjective and objective measures of stress and find associations with semen concentration, and sperm appearance and motility.

So if you’re stressed about your sperm test results, try to find ways to de-stress before you do another semen analysis!

If the results of your sperm test or semen analysis are confusing or worrisome, please make an appointment with a fertility doctor or urologist. It’s really important to get an in-person medical examination, so you know what you’re dealing with!

MY husband take semens test dead cells are 70-75% and active cell 25-30% so doctors told to give q gold tablet its correct treatment and its takes how long. and please suggest what kind of food,vegetables we can eat Thank you,

3 yrs back during my sperm analysis doctor found abnormal head sperm and i took medicine for 3 months. After that i got my wife pregnant. Now if i want to have second child do i need to take the medicine again or that treatment is one time enough? please experts can reply..!!

My heart goes out to you, as my husband had a very similar sperm test. No sperm at all. It was devastating.

I do not know if there are certain times of the day that sperm are more abundant and lively, and other times that they are not. I know that a man creates a new “batch” of sperm every 3 months or so, so it is worth getting another sperm test in 3 months or so.

My husband got a genetic test done, which is free in Canada. It revealed that his azoospermia (no sperm) is the result of genetics, and he will never create sperm (apart from a miracle from God!).

It takes a long time to absorb this, and learn how to live happily without creating a baby together.

Are you ready to look at other options for starting a family together? If so, I can share what we considered, and what we are doing now.

Hello! My husband and I just got his semen analysis test results back. They told us the test is abnormal. I am just wondering – is there a certain time of the day where the sperm is actually there, when at other times it is not?. We’ve been trying to have a baby for a year and a half now. He just went in and got tested in January. A baby has always been my biggest dream. That’s all I’ve ever wanted. I am very upset with the outcome of this test. I am sure that with the test being abnormal – and there isn’t any sperm motility that means my husband is sterile? He will be re-testing on the 8th of March.

we have been ttc for 7yrs .my husband june results are as follow morphology 40,motility 45,sperm count 18 million,wbc 3,ph akaline and my hsg result is that one of my womb is blocked.looking forward for your reply.thanks

A urologist, gynecologist, or fertility doctor has to tell you what the chances of conception are, based on your sperm test results. Getting pregnant may be more complicated because of your sperm – but the doctor needs to be the one to help you decipher what your test results mean.

Me and my wife have been trying to have a child for the last 10 years; we have done IVF 6 times and nothing seems to work. Recently I underwent another semen analysis and the results are really worrying me; please helm understand them;

Love this site. I had to use IVF to try to conceive but had a miscarriage after a couple of weeks. Every Mom has a Journey towards becoming a Mom at Last. If that journey took you through Surrogacy, Adoption, or In-Vitro Fertilization, Mom at Last is the place to find information, success stories, & inspirational quotes. Visit our Mom Community today at http://www.MomatLast.com Every Mom has a Journey…so let’s connect & celebrate it!

Only a urologist, gynecologist, or fertility doctor can tell you what the chances of conception are, based on those sperm test results. Getting pregnant is more than having a good semen analysis and a successful tubal ligation reversal…it really depends on what other factors are involved (eg, age of both you and your husband, lifestyle, overall health, other sperm or ovary issues, etc).

What did your doctor say about your sperm test results? Reviving sluggish sperm may depend on the cause. Did you get your semen analysis from a urologist or a fertility doctor? If not, you should talk to one as soon as possible.

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I'm Laurie, author of Growing Forward When You Can't Go Back. I survived a schizophrenic mom, foster care, infertility, and three years in Africa! My degrees are in Psychology, Education, and Social Work; I share Blossom Tips for new seasons of life. About Me.